Reassessment of the systematic status of Miamira Bergh, 1875 and Orodoris Bergh, 1875 (Nudibranchia: Chromodorididae) in light of phylogenetic analysis

Abstract

The external morphology and anatomy of the opisthobranch gastropods Miamira sinuata (van Hasselt, 1824) and Orodoris miamirana Bergh, 1875, the type species of the genera Miamira Bergh, 1875 and Orodoris Bergh, 1875, and their phylogenetic relationships are studied. The phylogeny obtained supports the placement of M. sinuata and O. miamirana in the genus Ceratosoma J. E. Gray, 1850. Therefore, Miamira and Orodoris become synonyms of the senior valid name Ceratosoma. In addition, the family name Miamiridae Bergh, 1891, based on Miamira, is newly recognized as a synonym of Chromodorididae Bergh, 1891. Ceratosoma sinuata and C. miamirana are more closely related to the highly derived Ceratosoma alleni than to other members of the genus. C. miamirana appears to present reversal to the plesiomorphic state in the body shape and has secondarily lost its mantle glands.